Mother's Day Gifts That Last All Year Long
Gift ideas that will keep on giving long after her special day
Mother’s Day is only one weekend away, and a lot of us are still racking our brains for a thoughtful gift that Mum will actually want. Not just like any ol’ birthday or Christmas, though, Mother’s Day gifts need to show our appreciation of their endless love and support – it’s time to give a little bit back! Rest assured there are still enough days to come up with the goods – a gift that will trump your siblings’ and last well beyond May 10th.
How will you show Mum you care this Mother’s Day?
How will you show Mum you care this Mother’s Day?
Old photos converted to digital
Your mum probably has boxes of old printed photos from when you were growing up just gathering dust, or worse yet, slowly being forgotten. Save her the trouble of digging through storage boxes looking for her prized memories by converting those prints to digital. It’s also useful should you want to have a ‘back up’ of these photos.
There are two ways to go about it. You can either scan the photos yourself and save to a hard drive or disc, or enlist a company to do them for you. If you’re going about it yourself, make sure your scanner is of reasonable quality before committing your time. Many scanners on the market now offer colour restore options for faded photos, and dust and scratch removal features. A ‘batch mode’ will also save you time, allowing you to scan multiple photos at once.
Your mum probably has boxes of old printed photos from when you were growing up just gathering dust, or worse yet, slowly being forgotten. Save her the trouble of digging through storage boxes looking for her prized memories by converting those prints to digital. It’s also useful should you want to have a ‘back up’ of these photos.
There are two ways to go about it. You can either scan the photos yourself and save to a hard drive or disc, or enlist a company to do them for you. If you’re going about it yourself, make sure your scanner is of reasonable quality before committing your time. Many scanners on the market now offer colour restore options for faded photos, and dust and scratch removal features. A ‘batch mode’ will also save you time, allowing you to scan multiple photos at once.
Another great idea are photobooks, which let you combine your photos, big and small, into one customisable book of your chosen style. A great alternative to your typical coffee table book!
If your young years were captured on VHS, they might be sitting idle somewhere at Mum’s house with very little hope of being looked at again, ever since Mum binned the VHS player. Luckily, there are gadgets in the form of tiny USBs and cords that can save the footage and convert it to your computer or a disc. Ask your local electronics retailer for more details.
If your young years were captured on VHS, they might be sitting idle somewhere at Mum’s house with very little hope of being looked at again, ever since Mum binned the VHS player. Luckily, there are gadgets in the form of tiny USBs and cords that can save the footage and convert it to your computer or a disc. Ask your local electronics retailer for more details.
Tech that makes life easier
Some older mums might not know just how far we’ve come in terms of technology. My mum, for instance, is still wrapping her head around her smartphone – and I still pay her bills online because she can’t remember how to access her banks details or navigate any site other than Facebook. It’s made me realise that anything ‘new’ in terms of technology (even dating back the last five years) is more than likely not on my mum’s radar. That’s why a few home tech improvements are sure to impress – so long as you’re willing to set them up and educate her on them! Here are just a few ideas:
Some older mums might not know just how far we’ve come in terms of technology. My mum, for instance, is still wrapping her head around her smartphone – and I still pay her bills online because she can’t remember how to access her banks details or navigate any site other than Facebook. It’s made me realise that anything ‘new’ in terms of technology (even dating back the last five years) is more than likely not on my mum’s radar. That’s why a few home tech improvements are sure to impress – so long as you’re willing to set them up and educate her on them! Here are just a few ideas:
Pay TV and streaming subscription services
Television isn’t as simple as it used to be. Television culture is already gravitating online with streaming services such as Netflix, Presto, Stan and Quickflix eclipsing free-to-air TV. So long as Mum has a good internet connection and a sizeable amount of data to boot, consider subscribing her to one of the mentioned services. Just ensure you show her how to use it on all of her devices, including connecting it to the TV via a HDMI cord for HDTVs.
If an internet connection is out of the question, Foxtel offer various pay TV packages instead.
Television isn’t as simple as it used to be. Television culture is already gravitating online with streaming services such as Netflix, Presto, Stan and Quickflix eclipsing free-to-air TV. So long as Mum has a good internet connection and a sizeable amount of data to boot, consider subscribing her to one of the mentioned services. Just ensure you show her how to use it on all of her devices, including connecting it to the TV via a HDMI cord for HDTVs.
If an internet connection is out of the question, Foxtel offer various pay TV packages instead.
Home automation
First, let me set the scene: It’s a chilly winter morning and your dreaded alarm clock has just gone off. Now, imagine being able to turn the kettle on while still under the doona… Getting up just got a whole lot easier, right? That’s just a window into how new WIFI technology can help simplify your life, or in this case, your mum’s. Home automation can either be centralised and programmable, or consist of decentralised and isolated sensors and controls, allowing you to control all of your electronics, lighting, security systems, and even your usage remotely. Try Belkin’s Wemo switch, Lightwave RF sockets, or even Philips HUE lights for really smart lighting.
More high-tech home improvements
First, let me set the scene: It’s a chilly winter morning and your dreaded alarm clock has just gone off. Now, imagine being able to turn the kettle on while still under the doona… Getting up just got a whole lot easier, right? That’s just a window into how new WIFI technology can help simplify your life, or in this case, your mum’s. Home automation can either be centralised and programmable, or consist of decentralised and isolated sensors and controls, allowing you to control all of your electronics, lighting, security systems, and even your usage remotely. Try Belkin’s Wemo switch, Lightwave RF sockets, or even Philips HUE lights for really smart lighting.
More high-tech home improvements
Home cleaning service
If your mum thinks like 99.9 per cent of the adult population, cleaning the house is an arduous task that is dreaded at best. If you’re not keen on the idea of helping out and cleaning yet another household outside of your own, why not sweep her off her feet by hiring a cleaning professional on a fortnightly or monthly basis. Walking into a clean house is something she’ll truly appreciate, and will give her more time to do the things she actually enjoys.
Most companies provide a basic cleaning service that includes kitchen and bathroom surfaces, as well as a good scrub of the shower and toilet, mirrors, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, rubbish removal and a general tidy up.
If your mum thinks like 99.9 per cent of the adult population, cleaning the house is an arduous task that is dreaded at best. If you’re not keen on the idea of helping out and cleaning yet another household outside of your own, why not sweep her off her feet by hiring a cleaning professional on a fortnightly or monthly basis. Walking into a clean house is something she’ll truly appreciate, and will give her more time to do the things she actually enjoys.
Most companies provide a basic cleaning service that includes kitchen and bathroom surfaces, as well as a good scrub of the shower and toilet, mirrors, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, rubbish removal and a general tidy up.
A helping hand in the garden
There’s plenty of gifting ideas that involve the garden, especially with winter nearing, a time in which the garden can be easily forgotten and neglected. Here are just a few:
Maintenance services
If the sun’s not out or it’s raining outside, you’re more likely to delay mowing the lawn or grooming the garden. Consider hiring a professional that’ll work rain, hail or shine either weekly, fortnightly or monthly, depending on Mum’s needs, to mow her lawn or trim her garden hedges, for instance. When the sun does decide to shine, Mum will be more likely to enjoy her outdoor space knowing it’s been well looked after.
There’s plenty of gifting ideas that involve the garden, especially with winter nearing, a time in which the garden can be easily forgotten and neglected. Here are just a few:
Maintenance services
If the sun’s not out or it’s raining outside, you’re more likely to delay mowing the lawn or grooming the garden. Consider hiring a professional that’ll work rain, hail or shine either weekly, fortnightly or monthly, depending on Mum’s needs, to mow her lawn or trim her garden hedges, for instance. When the sun does decide to shine, Mum will be more likely to enjoy her outdoor space knowing it’s been well looked after.
Edibles and fruit trees
Just think of the fresh produce lining Mum’s kitchen if you can successfully set up a vegetable garden for her. Not only does it offer convenience for fresh and organic produce, but it’ll save her money at the check-out, too. Raised garden beds or containers are easier to maintain than planting in the ground, or an even simpler option (that looks great, too) is to create a kitchen garden of herbs and leaves.
If you’re short on planning time, a lemon or lime tree is a gift that never stops giving – and especially handy now that prices for this type of produce is soaring! In fact, May is the perfect time to plant evergreen trees such as citrus, with cooler weather and moist soil perfect conditions for establishing new roots.
10 May gardening jobs
Just think of the fresh produce lining Mum’s kitchen if you can successfully set up a vegetable garden for her. Not only does it offer convenience for fresh and organic produce, but it’ll save her money at the check-out, too. Raised garden beds or containers are easier to maintain than planting in the ground, or an even simpler option (that looks great, too) is to create a kitchen garden of herbs and leaves.
If you’re short on planning time, a lemon or lime tree is a gift that never stops giving – and especially handy now that prices for this type of produce is soaring! In fact, May is the perfect time to plant evergreen trees such as citrus, with cooler weather and moist soil perfect conditions for establishing new roots.
10 May gardening jobs
A birdbath
Perhaps you’re thinking of a more decorative gift for the garden. A birdbath could be a new focal point, and will benefit the garden, too. The water will attract wildlife, which, in turn, will help aerate the surrounding soil, groom dead plant material, and help with pest control. Now that’s a gift that’s going to work hard for your Mum’s garden while looking pretty damn fine, too.
Perhaps you’re thinking of a more decorative gift for the garden. A birdbath could be a new focal point, and will benefit the garden, too. The water will attract wildlife, which, in turn, will help aerate the surrounding soil, groom dead plant material, and help with pest control. Now that’s a gift that’s going to work hard for your Mum’s garden while looking pretty damn fine, too.
Fresh lick of paint
One thing many of us need, but too easily put off, is a fresh coat of paint on the walls. It’s one of those things that you always plan on getting around to, but somehow never do. Mum, am I right?
Whether you’re looking to help freshen up her home, or just update it, one room will suffice as a thoughtful gift that’s sure to go the distance. Stick to rooms that are frequently used, like the living room, for example, and consider your colour palette wisely – this could be your chance to add a more spacious, light and airy feel to the room, or add some personality. Get Mum’s approval and involve her in the process, but take the reigns and show her the thought you’ve put into it.
One thing many of us need, but too easily put off, is a fresh coat of paint on the walls. It’s one of those things that you always plan on getting around to, but somehow never do. Mum, am I right?
Whether you’re looking to help freshen up her home, or just update it, one room will suffice as a thoughtful gift that’s sure to go the distance. Stick to rooms that are frequently used, like the living room, for example, and consider your colour palette wisely – this could be your chance to add a more spacious, light and airy feel to the room, or add some personality. Get Mum’s approval and involve her in the process, but take the reigns and show her the thought you’ve put into it.
If you don’t have the time or patience to paint a room on your own, you can find a professional in Mum’s area to do it for you. You could also throw her a small gathering in her updated scheme when the job’s complete.
Magazine subscription
For a lot of mums, magazines are something of a treat because they enforce ‘me time’, which a lot of mums deny themselves all too often.
Big on convenience, a magazine subscription is ideal for last-minute shoppers (you can easily purchase a subscription online the day of Mother’s Day, if need be), and can be delivered straight to Mum’s front door.
Just make sure you do your research first – she’ll appreciate the gesture more if you pick something that shows you know her interests. If she’s already buying the same magazine week in and week out, sign her up for a subscription and she’ll be over the moon to know she doesn’t have to buy it at the check-out anymore. Otherwise, ask her about her current reading material, what TV shows she’s been watching and how she spends her weekends to get an idea of what she might like or want to know more about.
For a lot of mums, magazines are something of a treat because they enforce ‘me time’, which a lot of mums deny themselves all too often.
Big on convenience, a magazine subscription is ideal for last-minute shoppers (you can easily purchase a subscription online the day of Mother’s Day, if need be), and can be delivered straight to Mum’s front door.
Just make sure you do your research first – she’ll appreciate the gesture more if you pick something that shows you know her interests. If she’s already buying the same magazine week in and week out, sign her up for a subscription and she’ll be over the moon to know she doesn’t have to buy it at the check-out anymore. Otherwise, ask her about her current reading material, what TV shows she’s been watching and how she spends her weekends to get an idea of what she might like or want to know more about.
Scope out the magazines catering to your mum’s interests and enquire about any promotional offers. A 12-month magazine subscription will usually save you up to 50 per cent per issue, and often comes with a free gift, too.
TIP: Step it up a notch and buy the current issue from your local newsagent, then wrap it up nicely so you have something to ‘give’ her on the day!
TELL US
What do you have in store for your mum this Mother’s Day?
TIP: Step it up a notch and buy the current issue from your local newsagent, then wrap it up nicely so you have something to ‘give’ her on the day!
TELL US
What do you have in store for your mum this Mother’s Day?
Of course your mum will appreciate the traditional bunch of flowers, box of chocolates, meal out and so on, but it’s also important to give back to Mum with gifts that have an extra-long shelf life; gifts she can enjoy every day of the year. If she didn’t pick up a wall calendar at the start of the new year, why don’t you give her an extra-special one now? Fill it with her friends’ birthdays, family events and surprises that she can look forward to all year. Here are some more long-lasting gift ideas…